Blog Archives

Get a Grip!

By Stefanie

April 18, 2012

Courtesy of Google Images

Multiple times a week I do research on the internet on how I can improve this website. I’m searching for ways to increase my traffic, make it user friendly, ideas for great content, how to keep it organized and from getting too cluttered and a million other things. A lot of the time when I am doing these searches and start to find some of the answers I want, I start to panic and feel overwhelmed. How am I ever going to implement all of these tools? And then I tell myself to “get a grip.” In fact this morning I was pacing the kitchen telling myself “Get a grip Stefanie, you can do this!”

It is easy to get overwhelmed with a lot of new information. The cogs in my brain start turning a million times a minute and that leads up to the moment when I need to calm myself down. Everything cannot be accomplished right now, and results will not happen over night. I know these things in my head, but emotionally not so much! Here are a couple of tips I want to share with you (and write down to remember myself) for your “get a grip” moments!

  1. Write it down! Have a notebook handy (preferably one that is designated for your ideas, or one that contains important information so it won’t get easily lost) and write your ideas, or search results down! You may have a moment of inspiration on whatever project you are working on and it would benefit you greatly to write it down immediately rather than trying to remember it later! Also, I find once I write it down, my brain can slow down a little because I know I have the information on paper.
  2. Make a plan of action! Once you have it all written down perhaps you want to make a list of the items you want to work on. It always helps to have a plan in place for accomplishing tasks!
  3. Set small, attainable goals! Chances are if you have a bunch of plans and you’ve made a list of what you want to accomplish they are all pointing towards the big picture. Now it is time to take that big picture and break it down. The big picture is overwhelming, but little chunks of that pictures seem completely do-able. If you set little goals that lead to a major goal you will have an easier time accomplishing that goal and staying on task.
  4. Weigh your options. Just because you want something doesn’t mean you can actually have it. You have to weigh your options and figure out if what you want really is best. For example, there are a couple programs I would like to try on my website and I think they would really increase traffic and my stats, but for $147 it isn’t realistic for me right now. Perhaps it would be wise to try other options, or keep that idea stored away until a more reasonable time.
  5. Lastly, reward yourself! When you have done a good job and accomplished one of your smaller goals, make sure to reward yourself. That doesn’t mean go buy a car because you hit 1000 visitors in a day, you should pick a reward that is proportionate to your goal. So if your goal was that you hit 1000 visitors in a day perhaps you reward yourself with a new template, or finally get that customize blog button you’ve been wanting. Some rewards for small goals and larger rewards for larger goals. If you don’t feel like you need a reward because attaining the goal is reward enough, more power to you!

After all the information I gathered this morning, it is now time to implement my strategy. I am going to go make a plan of action with some small goals from the information I gathered. This all seems so familiar from talking about goals earlier this year. I’m excited for you to see some of the things I will be implementing into the blog in the near future!

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Stefanie

About Stefanie

Stefanie is a stay at home blogging Mom of three. She writes for Making of a Mom. Connect with her at Google+

Yard Sales Part 3

By Johanna

April 17, 2012

How to Have a Successful Yard Sale

The final post of my 3 part series! (Click the links if you missed Part 1 or Part 2)

“You get out of it what you put into it.” I have no idea where that quote comes from, but it is totally relevant to this blog post! Yard sales are WORK! But fortunately, work = $$

Leave yourself plenty of time during the preceding week to get everything ready. These tips may seem obsessive, but trust me, they are VERY beneficial! Pay attention:

  • Note the date of your city’s city-wide yard sale. Many times, that comes with some perks. Usually, there is no permit needed on that day and the city will come around to pick up any leftovers you have. That will save you a little time, money and effort.
  • Advertise. Make sure to let people know when and where. Also make note of anything you might be selling of special interest, like kids clothing or toys, furniture, or large appliances. Also, put signs around town with your address and arrows pointing the way. Out-of-towners may not know how to get to your address.
  • Make sure your cash box has plenty of change. There is nothing worse than having to make a frantic run to the bank!
  • Be hyper-organized. Make sure that different categories of items are clearly sorted. Make different areas for kitchen items, household items, electronics, books, games and movies, baby items, toys, clothing, etc. People are looking for specific items and won’t sift through everything to find what they are looking for (Men don’t want to wade through baby stuff to find the tools…)
  • Put everything on tables. People won’t take the time to dig through boxes and bins. Only use bins for certain items like toys or books. Never use boxes; use clear bins so that everything is visible. Clothing should be folded and organized by size. Don’t pile clothing, it creates a mess; stagger it instead. Make sure the items you are selling, and any tables and bins you are using are clean. People will buy more if they trust you aren’t going to give them something yucky.
  • Label EVERYTHING. Put a sticker on every item that is clearly marked and easy to find. Don’t stick price stickers on the bottom of things; you’ll wind up with broken items. There shouldn’t be any guess work. (Don’t color code with a poster stating what the prices are! Those NEVER work!)
  • Clothing is iffy. Adult clothes don’t sell well unless it is very nice and priced very low. Kids clothing sells like crazy if you do it right. Make clearly stated signs with the size and the price. (Ladies Size Large -$1) People don’t like to guess, and they won’t usually ask.
  • Price things low. People want a good deal; if they think your prices are good, they will buy more. Be willing to negotiate on some prices. Do you want to sell it or not?
  • Be friendly! Smile and say hello and ask if you can be of help. Treat it like a retail job- if you’re friendly, people are more likely to buy. (Don’t be nosy- it’s awkward! “What are you going to use that for?”)
  • Don’t let your kids run around the tables. It is irritating when you have to dodge kids to look at stuff. Make sure there is someone to watch kids and keep them out of the way. Older kids can be really helpful with the cash box, helping to load large items, etc.
  • And last, keep tidying up! Customers WILL jumble your tables, so make sure you reorganize to keep them looking neat.

Good luck! Hope you have a lucrative Yard Sale!

Weekly Meal Planner

By Stefanie

March 12, 2012

As I was doing some blogging hopping a few days ago I stumbled across this cute FREE PRINTABLE weekly meal planner! It comes from The Executive Mom who has generously shared it on Tip Junkie! You can click the link and download it for free and print out as many copies as you want!! This is really going to help me with my goal of meal planning this year (which, by the way, is struggling!) This goes above and beyond my meal planning as I am only scheduling my dinners, but if you are so organized that you plan breakfast, lunch and snacks as well, more power to ya! Happy meal organization!!

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Stefanie

About Stefanie

Stefanie is a stay at home blogging Mom of three. She writes for Making of a Mom. Connect with her at Google+

Time Management Tips for a Mom – Guest Blogger

By Stefanie

March 7, 2012

time management How do you get it all done? It’s the age-old burning question that all mothers try to answer on a daily basis! Chores, kids, cooking, shopping, sometimes a business, work, craft, and telephone conversations. And lets not forget sleep! It can be tricky to try and get everything done, but here are some tips and tricks that I use daily to help keep me on track.

  1. Prioritize. At the end of each day I will sit down and write a list of what I would like to accomplish the next day. Then I prioritize. Stars go next to the 3 most important items and then the rest get a 1, 2 or a 3. Start with the stars and work your way down. If you don’t make it to the 3’s, no big deal, just move them to the list for the next day. I try to limit myself to 3 from each category and then have a kind of optional list for if I find myself with a little extra time. This list is mostly crafty stuff or a recipe that I want to try or something like organizing a cabinet or a drawer. Then just in case the baby takes an extra long nap, I will have direction.
  2. Spend time with your kids. My mom once told me that “Your kids won’t be under-foot if they are in your arms.” If you spend even just 5 minutes with each kid, no interruptions, no distractions they feel loved and are more likely to play by themselves for longer. For older kids, you can ask questions and talk to them. Younger kids enjoy getting tickled, reading a book or doing a puzzle. It is amazing to me when I spend just a little bit of time with each of my kids how much better they behave and play nicely.
  3. Crockpot. This handy tool can be a girl’s best friend! You can make almost anything in a crockpot. I have even made spaghetti in the crockpot. It is so handy to throw a meal in earlier in the day and have it ready in the evenings. It always makes our day go more smoothly when I think ahead and cook dinner in the crockpot.
  4. Take 5. When there are several things I need to accomplish, I will take 5 (or even 10) minutes and set the timer. I will allow myself that time to clean up, start laundry or dishes or tidy a room. When the timer goes off, I then go accomplish a task that is more urgent. I find that if I don’t set a timer, I will move from room to room cleaning or tidying up and won’t realize how much time is going by. When there is a timer, you will focus your task a little better too.
  5. Mom time. It is SO easy to get run down and worn out! Take daily and/or weekly time for yourself. Small things like listening to your favorite song while you put away the dishes or larger things like a girls night out can work wonders for your mood and energy levels! I even keep a stash or chocolate or brownies hidden in the pantry and will take a mommy timeout when I feel overwhelmed or run down. The kids think it is super funny that Mommy has timeouts too.
  6. Celebrate! Celebrate your accomplishments each day. Sometimes it is a small as putting on makeup! Other days you could get 5 things done on your list or you maybe you accomplished a task that you were dreading. Remember it doesn’t need to be a HUGE deal. Something meaningful to you. Paint your nails, grab a soda, eat a piece of cake, dance around in the kitchen, or even something like checking your email or facebook. I think of it as my “inner child” that needs a reward for a job well done.
  7. Be flexible. There are times your kids will need more attention and there are times where you will have to drop everything for a sick kid or something else unexpected. Understand that these things will happen and that it is not the end of the world. We don’t have to be SUPER-mom, just MOM.
  8. Schedule your task time. This is especially important for work and craft time. When I start updating my blog, or doing some work on my home business, or even begin a new craft project, it is really easy to lose track of the time. I could easily spend hours and hours on one thing. Just like you set the timer for your 5 minute task completion, set a time for your other tasks as well. If you set aside an hour or 45 minutes to work on a craft, when time is up, task is done. This will help keep you from spending way too long on 1 task and leaving the others undone.

These are the tips that I live by. Are my kids always perfectly dressed with their hair done and clean faces? No. Is my house always perfect? No. But at my house, the mom is a little less stressed, the kids are mostly smiling even if they are dirty, and at the end of the day the things that remain undone will almost always wait until tomorrow.

Awnya Boam is the mother of 5 kids ages 9 and under.  In addition to all her motherly and housekeeping responsibilities, Awnya runs a successful website, 2 blogs and a home party business.   With all the duties and tasks to accomplish, Awnya has become a master at Time Management and how to be a Mom and have a life.  Visit her website, http://www.Time4Felt.com, or her blog, http://www.FelterMom.com, to see the fun (and some free) things she has for you!

Stefanie

About Stefanie

Stefanie is a stay at home blogging Mom of three. She writes for Making of a Mom. Connect with her at Google+

An Inspired Decision

By Johanna

February 16, 2012

Because I’m not Catholic, I often get the question, “Why Catholic School?” I was very scared when it came time to pick a preschool. My first child heading off into the unknown! I prayed very hard and did my research on the preschools in town. I kept coming back to the Catholic School. Aside from the tugging (call it the Holy Spirit, call it Mother’s Intuition, instinct, call it what you want) what initially drew me to this school was that it was actually at a school. This was not a pseudo-daycare in someone’s church basement; it was a real school with real teachers that have been teaching for a long time. The tuition was neither the highest nor the lowest of the other preschools. The average class size is 15 children (with 3 teachers for the preschool class) and there is only one class per grade. I love that it is small; everyone gets to know each other and nobody gets lost in a sea of children. Last year, our school received Standard of Excellence awards in every grade, every subject. So far, I haven’t found anything to dislike! They have been wonderful!

Now that my munchkin is in Kindergarten, since we’re not members of the Catholic church, tuition can be pretty hefty! (Faithful Catholics who pay a full tithe don’t have tuition.) I was prepared to make huge sacrifices to keep her at this school, but so far, it has only been small sacrifices. I firmly believe that our Heavenly Father will grant us the righteous desires of our hearts, so I pray hard! And it seems to me that it was an inspired decision because she was offered a substantial scholarship to help with tuition. As a devout Christian, I love that she learns about God and she prays regularly in her class. They start and end everyday with a school-wide prayer, and bless the food at lunch. Yes, there are some fundamental differences between our religions, but I have been pleasantly surprised about how much we agree on. When she gets older, she will not be taught “safe sex”, her school will reinforce what I teach her;  that sex before marriage is a sin. At Christmas, she doesn’t bring home a lot of Santa Clause and Rudolph crafts; she brings home Nativity Scenes. For their Christmas Concert, Her Kindergarten Class sang 7 songs, 5 of which were about the birth of our Savior. I didn’t know how I would feel about sending her to this school, but I LOVE IT!! I’m so glad I listened and started her education off right!

My younger daughter will be starting preschool there in the fall and she is so excited! The preschool teachers already know her name and always have big smiles for her. I’m thankful not to worry about where to send her, because we have already found the perfect school for our family. So, after that long explanation, I chose Catholic School because of inspiration and we’re staying there because of experience.

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